February 2008 - Contents Does it work for me? Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches Services at St Wystan's, Repton Services at St Saviour's, Foremark Services at St Mary's, Newton Solney Readers and Intercessors at St Wystan's Altar Flowers at St Wystan's Brasses at St Wystan's Altar Flowers at St Saviour's United Reformed Church Services at the United Reformed Church Coffee Morning, Saturday, 9th February Shell Group (age 7 - 11) Lent Course begins Tuesday 12th February Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Marriages Jordan Scott Tecton Bowen and Sarah-Jane Margaret Hyde Funerals and Burial of Ashes James William Screaton Nina Grain The Memorial Book Repton Benefice Lent 2008 Support the Padley Centre Candlemas St Wystan's News St Wystan's Annual Church Meeting & Supper, Wednesday 20th February Bishops' Visit, 21st and 30th March Repton M.U. ChildAid to Russia & the Republics St Mary's News Newton Solney Church Organ Newton Solney Christmas Quiz The Lent Charity Chapel Concert, Sunday 3rd February Repton School Concerts, Tuesday 5th February Children First Derby Fundraising Party, Saturday 16th February Repton School Concerts, Tuesday 26th February Last Night's Fun, Saturday 1st March Thankyou Judy and Andy Hall Yvonne McComish Mary and Ken Vincent Charities Children First Derby Repton Village and History Malawi Fundraiser, Friday 7th March Repton Pre-school Repton W.I. Repton Village History Group Repton Village Society Repton Enabling Fund AGM Mobile Police Station to visit Newton Solney and Repton Repton Parish Council Jottings Newton Solney Village Matters Collective Worship, Newton Solney Infant School Newton Solney Women's Institute Newton Solney Parish Council Notes Further Afield Visiting the NMA Gardening Notes Strokes: YOU could Save a Life

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Does it work for me?

One of the happy circumstances of a post-modern world is that it is acceptable to be a medievalist, modern or post-modern. I am delighted that we have an archbishop who can communicate with the post-modern world.

To put it simply, the medieval world was one in which authority, the authority of the Church, determined truth. Truth was contained in scripture, but as scripture was in Latin, the priests controlled scripture and hence also the truth.

The modern world dawned when, in the words of Galileo in 1582: "I think that in discussing natural problems, we should not begin from the authority of scriptural passages, but from sensory experiences and necessary demonstrations." Both Galileo and Copernicus got into deep trouble from the Church for this revolutionary perception. But the fundamentals of modernism, the belief in the centrality of reason, and belief in inevitable progress, have been thoroughly shaken by events of the last century, particularly the Holocaust and two World Wars.

So we enter the present fragmented condition of humanity in the western world, which we call 'post-modern.' The breakdown of the centrality of reason and of common cultural assumptions is seen by many to be a disaster for the communication of Christian truth and ethics. If the truth is what works for me and ethics are what is good for me, by what authority can we question post-modern ideas?

It is not all doom and gloom, as Melvyn Matthews points out in his book, 'Awake to God'. In post-modern culture, truth can occur in different forms. With the demotion of reason, imagination and metaphor become primary means of communication. The truth revealed by metaphor and symbol is as important as that revealed by logic and reason. This is good news for the Bible, which is full of myth, legend, metaphor and symbol.

Archbishop Rowan is taking advantage of this new state of affairs, though not everyone, apparently, appreciates his wisdom. In an interview before Christmas with Simon Mayo of radio Five Live, he pointed out that there is nothing in Scripture to say there were three kings at Bethlehem, but that that particular detail works very well as legend. According to the editor of the Church Times his remark was 'incomprehensible to many' and sparked a debate 'characterised by ignorance and a disingenuous sense of outrage.'

If only we could all enter the brave new world of post-modernity, stop asking the question 'did it happen?', and start asking 'does it work for me?', we might avoid so many sterile debates about whether biblical stories are rationally true, and see that they can be 'true' because they work well as legend.

With prayers and best wishes,

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Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

St Wystan's, Repton

St Saviour's, Foremark

St Mary's, Newton Solney

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Readers, Intercessors and Offertory at St Wystan's

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Altar Flowers (contact Frances Wimbush, 703180)

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Brasses (contact Pauline Beckett, 500132)

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Altar Flowers & Cleaning at St Saviour's (contact Ann Redfern, 01332 862350)

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The United Reformed Church

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Coffee Morning, Saturday, 9th February, 10.30 - 11.30

Another opportunity to buy home-made cakes and marmalade, to play the children's game, and to see the latest Webb Ivory cards and stationery - and to have coffee and biscuits with friends!

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Shell Group (age 7 - 11)

New members are always welcome.

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Lent Course begins on Tuesday 12th February at 7.30 pm

This year we shall be studying the Lord's Prayer with our friends from Mackworth United Reformed Church. The course lasts for five Tuesdays: each session is a complete unit, so you can join the group at any time. Everyone is welcome. Women's World Day of Prayer, Friday, 7th March, at the U.R.C. More details in next month's magazine. Book the date!

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Marriages

Jordan Scott Tecton Bowen and Sarah-Jane Margaret Hyde were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 5th January.

We offer them our congratulations and best wishes
for their future lives together.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

James William Screaton of Holly Cottage, Main Street, Milton, died on Monday 10th December aged 83. A service at Bretby Crematorium on 17th December was followed by cremation.

Nina Grain of 3 Chestnut Avenue, Milton, died on Sunday 30th December aged 86. A service at Bretby crematorium on 10th January was followed by cremation.

We offer our sympathy to their families and friends.

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The Memorial Book

The Memorial Book was donated in memory of Henry Chilton as a place where the names of those who have lived in Repton can be recorded in the church.   All former Repton residents are eligible, as well as those buried or interred in St Wystan's churchyard or Monsom Lane cemetery.   There is no charge but a donation towards church funds is greatly appreciated.   Those who died on or after the 1st February 2000 are eligible.   All we need is the full name and the dates of birth and death.

Please contact Rev'd Peter Paine, 703317.

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Repton Benefice

Lent 2008

It is clear from all the gospels that the ministry of healing is important for Jesus. Whenever he sent the disciples off on a tour, it was always to preach and to heal. It is also true that many churches of all denominations are rediscovering the importance of a healing ministry, and some of those are in other respects quite traditional. The Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, which has produced this year's Lent course, was founded by an Anglican bishop, Maurice Maddocks, who was Bishop of Selby in the 1970s.

The course is called 'Growing a Healing Ministry', and is in five sessions. It is thoroughly biblically based, and also explores the constitution of the human person as having body, mind and spirit. It leads us gently on from basics, and suggests ways of prayer that any of us could pursue at home. It is an exploratory course and so a course for beginners.

The course also sees the Christian ministry of prayer as complimentary to the work of the medical profession. We are all aware of the many hurts that people experience through ill-health, misguided parenting, bereavement, abuse at work, and stress. To be more effective in our Christian response to a hurting world would, I believe, enable our churches to carry a message of hope into the communities we serve. I believe you will find this a stimulating and practical course, and very much hope that you will join us this Lent. If you are able to do so, please sign the paper at the back of your church, or pick up a letter and return the slip at the bottom. The course will run twice - on an evening and then an afternoon of each week of Lent.

Dates

Evenings: Mondays 11th, 18th and 25th February, and 3rd and 10th March at St Wystan's Church at 7.30 pm. Afternoons: Wednesday 13th, Thursday 21st and Wednesday 27th February, Wednesdays 5th and 12th March at the Vicarage at 2 pm.

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Support the Padley Centre

Set up in 1985 by a group of nuns as a drop-in centre in Derby, the Padley Group depends heavily on local support for all its work. It receives funding from the city council and primary care trust, churches and private donors, but it is still a constant struggle to break even.

The Padley Centre, a day centre, works with some of the most socially excluded, the homeless, the mentally ill, and people with learning disabilities. It has three main areas of operation:

Padley Homeless Project, situated in the centre of Derby, has single bedrooms for ten people - always full - as well as a day centre. It helps people to rebuild their self-esteem and confidence, so they feel more able to re-enter the community. Residents should stay for four months, but are often there longer because of a lack of alternative accommodation.

Padley Development Centre is a fully accredited training centre, training people with learning disabilities, mental health problems and the long-term unemployed. It works with around 250 people each year.

Padley's Trading Project consists of a charity shop and a recycling warehouse. It raises funds for the charity and provides training to people who find it difficult to enter the job market. The warehouse collects donations of clothes, bedding, bric-a-brac and sorts them. Some items are given to the homeless, saleable items are sold in the charity shop and non-saleable clothing and bedding is sold as rags, so nothing goes to waste. Between them, the warehouse and shop recycle around 6000 garments each week.

How you can help

During Lent we shall be running a collection to support them.

They particularly request items that provide nourishing meals, such as packets of pasta, tins of corned beef and packeted or tinned soup. Also, good quality clothes for young adults, shampoo, towels and the like. (They cannot use items that are out of date.) If you would like to help, please leave tins in church at St Wystan's or St Mary's. If St Mary's is locked because of work on the organ, you will find advice on what to do in the Village Newsletter. In addition, Padley is always looking for volunteers. Telephone 01332 384867 to speak to one of the staff.

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Candlemas

In his gardening notes below, Ken Robinson refers to Candlemas Day, the 2nd February. The ancient festival, marking the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox, derives its name from the custom of bringing to church all the candles to be used there in the coming year and blessing them.

Candles were, of course, essential in the days before electric light. But for Christians, they were (and still are) a reminder that Jesus came to us as a light in the darkness. We speak of Jesus as 'the light of the World', and at services candles are lit to remind us of this.

For the Church, the day itself has yet greater significance as the day on which we commemorate the ritual purification of Mary, forty days after the birth of her son Jesus. Ritual purification goes back to a Jewish tradition that women were considered unclean after the birth of a child. For forty days after the birth of a boy, sixty days in the case of a girl, women were not allowed to worship in the temple. At the end of this time, women were brought to the temple to be purified, and thereafter allowed to take part in religious services again.

But most important of all, this day also marks the ritual presentation of the baby Jesus to God in the Temple at Jerusalem. Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem because every firstborn child was to be dedicated to the Lord. Jesus is purified by the prayer of Simeon, who, recognising the Messiah, gave thanks to the Lord, in a song we now call the Nunc Dimittis:

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."

Simeon also foreshadowed the crucifixion and the sorrows of Mary at the death of her son:

"Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

So a happy day, tinged with sadness, a major if now somewhat neglected festival of the Christian year.

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St Wystan's News

St Wystan's Annual Church Meeting & Supper,
Wednesday 20th February at 7 pm in Repton Village Hall

Anyone living in Repton and all members of the congregation are welcome to come to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and share in the supper which follows. Supper tickets at £4 will be available from Jan Roberts, 702159, Graham Scott, 701299, Martin Wimbush, 703180, Sue Parker, 702550, and Carol Lloyd, 702410.

The meeting starts with the election of churchwardens. Anyone who lives in the parish is entitled to vote. We then have reports on different church activities and plans for the future, presentation of the accounts for 2007, and elections to the Parochial Church Council.

There are three vacancies to be filled on the PCC. You must have been on the electoral roll for fifteen days before the meeting in order to nominate a candidate, to stand for election or to vote. Electoral roll forms are available in church, or from the vicar, a churchwarden or Mrs. Margaret Scott, 701299, the Electoral Roll Officer.

The meeting normally lasts a little over an hour and is followed by supper. It is not necessary to buy a supper ticket if you just want to attend the meeting.

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Bishops' Visit, 21st and 30th March

On Good Friday, 21st March, we will welcome Bishop Humphrey as our preacher for the Three Hours Devotion. On Sunday 30th March, Bishop Alastair will preside and preach at the morning service at 9.45 am, which will be a Benefice service. If the legalities are ready, this will also be the occasion when Bishop Alastair will licence me to be your vicar and not simply priest-in-charge. The Suspension of Presentation was lifted on 20th December 2007.

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Repton M.U.

In January, after our M.U. service, we held our Annual General Meeting with reports on the year's activities and our finances. It took a little longer than usual because we have a very limited budget and this year there were more calls upon it than usual, so we had to plan to build the balance up again. There was still time, however, to enjoy a quiz involving carols and Christmas music, as well as tea and biscuits.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 20th February at 2.15 pm in the Fisher Close Room: Wendy Longden: 'Coming Full Circle - Rooted and Grounded in Love.' Non-members are welcome as ever.

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ChildAid to Russia & the Republics

2007 - another bumper year, when we raised over £2,000 for the first time! Very many thanks to all who have supported us by donating fruit and vegetables, supplying 'empties' and purchasing products. Part of the proceeds goes to sponsoring Maxim, the 7-year old son of the cook at the Samuel Centre run by Joy McRae in Khabarosk, who in 2005 spoke at St Wystan's Church about her work.

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St Mary's News

Newton Solney Church Organ

In December it was reported that permission had been sought to refurbish St Mary's Victorian pipe organ. The required public notices have been posted for a month both outside and inside the church, and it is hoped that a faculty will soon be granted. Once this has happened and work has begun, it will be necessary on grounds of both safety and security for the church to be kept locked except during services, when hymns will be accompanied by the piano.

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Newton Solney Christmas Quiz

Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry to the Christmas Quiz, all with evident success and enjoyment. Nor did the typing error in no.17 (which should have read 'inmate's mop') prevent most of you finding the anagram - 'pantomimes'. Was the quiz too easy for you, or were standards particularly high? Either way, the winning entry, drawn from among the fully correct answers, was that of Mrs. J. Thompson of Fisher Close in Repton, to whom a garden token has duly been delivered.

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The Lent Charity Chapel Concert Repton School Chapel at 6.30 pm on Sunday 3rd February The Navarra String Quartet will perform Haydn's 'Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross'. They will be accompanied by a slideshow projection of art specially created by Jamie Boyd, a world-renowned artist working in Italy and England. You are all welcome; admission is free. A retiring collection will be held at the end of the evening and wine will be available. The charity chosen to receive donations will be announced on the night.

Repton School Concerts Society Chetham's School of Music Tuesday 5th February at 7.45 pm in the Robert Beldam Hall The society is pleased to welcome pupils of this world renowned specialist music school back to Repton. The programme will include works by Grieg and Mozart and will consist of both solo items and ensemble pieces. We anticipate an entertaining and inspirational evening. Tickets for this concert are available at £12 and £9 (concessions). For further information or tickets contact: The Secretary (Sue Parker), 01283 702550 or Repton Music School, 01283 559319

Children First Derby Fundraising Party Saturday 16th February at 7.15 for 8 pm The Midland Hotel, Derby Tickets £30; all profits to Children First Derby Dress code: Evening wear Drink on arrival, 3 course dinner with coffee, auction presided over by Charles Hanson, followed by live music from "The Flames". Please join us for a memorable evening! Contact Cheryl Smith on 01283 704709

Repton School Concerts Society Sacconi and Navarra Quartets Tuesday 26th February at 7.45 pm in the Robert Beldam Hall These two award-winning quartets of hugely talented musicians will perform works including Haydn's Quartet Opus 33 No 5, Brahms' Sextet in Bb and Mendelssohn's String Octet in Eb. Tickets for this concert are available at £12 and £9 (concessions). For further information or tickets contact: The Secretary (Sue Parker), 01283 702550 or Repton Music School, 01283 559319

Last Night's Fun Repton Village Hall, Saturday 1st March at 7.30 pm An infectious blend of enthusiasm, wonderfully enchanting music and light hearted banter Traditional Irish music at its best from one of the top bands in the business. Their bodhran player is an all-Ireland Champion! From the hilarious to the deeply moving, these guys have something for everyone. Tickets are already going fast. £6 from Repton Post Office, the Spar Shop, Chris Carpenter, 702370, and Peter Court, 702599.

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Thankyou

Judy, Andy and family would like to thank neighbours and friends for their beautiful floral tributes, cards and kind thoughts on the death of their wonderful son, Sam. He will be greatly missed by his friends and all that knew him.

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On behalf of the Dales Residential Home, sincere thanks to everyone who donated most generously in memory of Mr. John Pett. We miss his visits and kind words, which never failed to boost any resident.

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We wish to thank all our friends and neighbours for the loving and practical help received following Mary's accident. We have been lifted and sustained by your love and prayers. Special thanks are due to Melanie Finch for organizing transport of visitors to the hospital and for helping with many of Mary's personal needs.

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Charities

Children First Derby

. . . is a local charity that has been helping disadvantaged families in and around Derby for 30 years. A befriending service sends trained volunteers to help support families emotionally at difficult times; supervised contact enables children in long-term care to meet their birth families in a friendly and secure environment; and a signposting service helps those who are unsure whom to contact for support with children or family problems.

On Saturday 16th February Children First Derby is holding a fund-raising party at the Midland Hotel in Derby. (See the advert on page 10.) Alternatively, you can support their work through their website at www.childrenfirstderby.co.uk.

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Repton Village & History

Malawi Fundraiser, Friday 7th March at 7.30 pm

The response to my article in the December Parish Magazine was tremendous. Thank you to everyone; you have all been very kind and generous!

Now, for those who like a bit of risk, I have the perfect evening for you, with a complimentary glass of wine, a race night, raffle, other games and cake and coffee! It's a great chance to socialise with friends and family. I would have cooked Malawian food, but fried white ants and salted caterpillars might not be too popular, although we may attempt some of their more normal snacks! Then the fun really begins as the races starts. Pick a horse and place a bet. As soon as the race starts, you will be on your feet, shouting on your horse like there's no tomorrow, and willing it to win! Whether you win or lose, the race will be full of excitement! By the end of the evening you will be 'hoarse' from the shouting, and you may even be a winner! Either way, it should be great fun and a chance to enjoy a flutter in a good cause. So please bring all your friends and family, and see who has the keenest eye for the best bet.

For those who like to know what the money will do, I am going to teach in Malawi for 12 months with the charity Project Trust, and am trying to raise £4,480. I will also explain on the night, and there will be various displays on Malawi and Project Trust.

The Evershed Building, Abbot Beyne School, Burton-On-Trent. Adults £4, children £2. For tickets or enquiries, please ring 701069.

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Repton Pre-school

Repton Pre-School is currently running at full capacity. We have a new resident hamster, Pepsi. Apart from all the attention she receives during pre-school hours, we have many young volunteers to look after her at home for an evening or weekend.

The theme this term is 'living things'. As part of this the children bring in items from home ranging from birds, bugs and butterflies, to pets, plants and playful sealife. To help bring the theme literally to life, the children will also be enjoying visits from the RSPCA, zoolab and a local bird sanctuary.

Wild West Charity Evening, Saturday 29th March

This year, our annual fund-raising night takes place in Pears School, Repton. There will be a hog roast dinner, bar, disco, auction, money tree and fancy dress for those who dare. Everyone is welcome, so dust down your cow-boots and lasso your tickets by contacting Lucy Peers on 01283704491. Tickets are £20 per head during February and £25 per head during March.

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Repton W.I.

Repton started their 90th anniversary year with a splendid demonstration of Sugar Craft by Jeanine Howe-McCartin. As she went through the step by step process needed to produce snowdrops from sugar paste, her patience and dexterity were amazing; we were not surprised to hear that she has been a winner in national competitions. Arrangements were made for a trip to the show, 'Meet Me in St Louis', and for a visit to Hopton Hall on 11th February to see the snowdrops.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 12th February at 7.15 pm in the Village Hall: Roger Hosking from Etwall: 'Happy Hens'.

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Repton Village History Group

Our final event in 2007 was to take part in the Christmas Tree Festival in December. We were pleased to see a large number of members and friends visiting and admiring the impressive displays. It is pleasing to know that a substantial amount of money was raised for good causes.

'Getting away with it', Tuesday 19th February

In February, Richard Stone, a well known local historian, will talk about the operation of the law in the middle ages, and ways and means of avoiding penalties. It will include local examples. This should be a most interesting subject. Visitors are welcome. (Village Hall, 7.30 pm)

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Repton Village Society

Rod Pearson brightened up our January meeting with a talk entitled 'Beside the Seaside'. With colourful posters and appropriate music, his presentation traced the way in which the railways influenced holiday destinations in the days before mass car ownership.

'Fiery Imagination at Work', Thursday 7th February

If you have ever wondered how the spectacular firework displays at Calke Abbey or Shugborough, for instance, are choreographed, then come to our February meeting when Andrew Fielder, the Managing Director of Dragonfire Ltd., will reveal the explosive secrets of his trade. Dragonfire is one of the leading firework display companies in the UK and has produced shows at Arley Hall, Tatton Park, Leeds Castle and Warwick Castle. It also works regularly with the Halle Orchestra.

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Repton Enabling Fund AGM

The annual general meeting of Repton Enabling Fund will take place on 5th March at 7.30 pm in The Den. All village organisations are entitled to send a representative.

The fund makes interest free loans to help set up or partially underwrite events. Examples are the Repton Spoon, the Christmas Tree Festival, the Village Party and the fireworks. For more information, contact Andy Austen on 702448.

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Mobile Police Station to visit Newton Solney and Repton

A mobile police station will visit local villages, including Newton Solney and Repton, in the period from January to April. It is hoped to visit each village at least once every six weeks. This is a 'meet the people' exercise to give parishioners an opportunity to get to know local police officers and raise anything that concerns them, in confidence. Police will offer advice on Neighbourhood Watch, the security of your home and cars, dealing with anti-social behaviour and other similar issues. They will also be offering shed and personal attack alarms.

Meet them in Repton Village Hall car park on 1st February between 10 am and 4 pm, and in Main Street, Newton Solney, on Monday 11th February.

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Repton Parish Council Jottings

A monthly newsletter covering issues from the most recent Parish Council meeting in January.

• An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a housing development on land between Pinfold Lane and Pinfold Close has been dismissed. The Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State decided that the proposed development would more closely merge the more recent housing on Pinfold Close with the historic buildings in High Street. The physical separation provided by the existing green finger of open land would be reduced and the predominantly rural characteristics of the area diminished. There would be a negative visual impact on the setting of the conservation area and an erosion of its distinctiveness.
• Some people are still dumping rubbish around the recycling containers in the car park on Burton Road. (The problem has been reported before.) All material must be placed inside the appropriate container. Leaving waste on the ground constitutes fly tipping and could result in prosecution. If the containers are full, the alternative facility at the Village Hall should be used. The area is now being checked regularly.
• SDDC is considering what to do with the redundant public toilets on Burton Road. Councillors would like to see the small building converted for letting as a retail or commercial unit. Alternatively it should be demolished to enlarge the car park.
• A gap has been left in new fencing marking the boundary between the Cinder Track and the Askew Grove development. This is contrary to the original planning consent. On a majority vote councillors decided that there were some benefits in allowing the gap to remain, in exchange for the builder paying for a number of improvements to the public land along the Cinder Track. All matters are subject to planning approval. The nearby Cherry Tree has been determined to be unsafe and will have to be felled, though there is a slight hope that a small part of it can be retained.
• The local police are holding a surgery in Repton on 1st February. If parking on the pavement, speeding, vandalism or perhaps something more serious worries you, this is your chance to try to get some action. Residents often complain that they don't see enough of the police in the village; now you have an opportunity to take them to task - use it!

The next meeting of the parish council is on 11th February at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall. The agenda will be posted on the website and on village notice boards a week before the meeting.

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Collective Worship, Newton Solney CofE (Aided) Infant School

Parents, carers and local residents are warmly invited to join in our Collective Worship in the school hall on the first Wednesday of each month.

We were delighted to welcome so many of you on 9th January. Future dates are 6th February, 5th March and 2nd April, all at 9.15 am.

Collective Worship reflects our normal practice rather than being a rehearsed 'performance'. We do hope that many of you will be able to join us

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Newton Solney Women's Institute

The New Year began on an optimistic note. Membership has increased and our 2008 programme offers a range of speakers, events and activities to suit everyone.

At our January meeting we welcomed Bertel Hutchinson, who gave an informative and humorous talk on 'Epitaphs'. Later in the month, members attended a service in Derby Cathedral to celebrate 90 years of DFWI, and we were also represented at the Mercia Group Business Meeting. Outings to the Brewhouse to watch 'Meet me in St Louis' and lunch at the Mulberry Room were most enjoyable occasions.

Members intend to visit the DFWI Roadshow at Ticknall on 28th February, and will again be lunching at Burton College. Fund-raising activities continue with regular whist drives in the Village Hall on the last Tuesday of the month, and our annual jumble sale is planned for Saturday 15th March.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 12th February at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall: Richard Makin will speak on 'The Beekeeping Year'. If you are interested in joining our WI then why not come along as a visitor - you will be most welcome.

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Newton Solney Parish Council Notes

Prior to the last council meeting on 11th January, Miles King of Midlands Rural Housing gave a presentation on the results of the recent affordable housing survey. To alleviate the current housing needs in Newton Solney the report recommended a mixed development of 3 affordable dwellings, one 2-bedroom house and two 2-bedroom bungalows on a shared ownership basis. The next step would be to find suitable available land. The full report will be on the village website shortly; hard copies will be at the village hall and hopefully the shop and pubs. Please try to read the report to ensure that everyone is fully informed.

The precept, the Parish Council funds for the forthcoming year, has been set at £4,200, an increase of £150, representing a 3% rise.

Dog fouling has yet again been reported to the council, both on the pavements and on the recreation field. Prosecution is the last resort, please clean up after your dog.

The next meeting is on Friday 8th February at 7.45 in the Village Hall. If you wish to raise any matter, please contact a councillor prior to the meeting or come along and have your say!

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Further Afield

Visiting the NMA

Since the Armed Forces Memorial opened in October, visitors to the National Memorial Arboretum have greatly increased, and more guides are urgently needed. If you could help, visit the website for the Friends of the NMA, or contact them via their membership secretary, e: arboretum@dlaproduction.co.uk or t: 01283 791218.

If you have not visited the NMA before, you are recommended to arrive in time for the daily service in the Millennium Chapel, which starts at 10.50 and lasts about 15 minutes. There is generally a guide on duty to explain the NMA and the significance of the chapel.

Then, if you plan to visit the Armed Forces Memorial, you are recommended to take the spiral footpath around the Memorial. As you go round you will have a panoramic view of the NMA, and be able to appreciate the scale of the project.

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Gardening Notes

The weather rules what we can do in the garden at this time of year. Draw up a plan for the vegetable plot, and complete the digging and manuring whenever possible.

There is an old saying: "On Candlemas Day, sow beans in clay." I think 2nd February is probably a bit early for that, but broad beans could be sown in modules in a cold frame for planting out later, as also peas, lettuce, carrots, parsley, celery, leeks, onions, and summer cabbage and cauliflower. Get hold of some first early potatoes, and start chitting them in a light, frost-free place. Tomato seed for a heated greenhouse will need sowing in a propagator at 21°C.

Propagate rhubarb and asparagus by dividing the rootstock now. Rhubarb can be divided with a spade, but use a sharp knife for asparagus. Leave both for one or two years before harvesting. Globe artichokes are propagated by dividing offshoots in the spring, when they have grown one or two leaves. Jerusalem artichokes can be increased by dividing the tubers; for sea kale, take root cuttings.

Lawns may need cutting, but raise the blades fairly high.

Tidy up the border and flower beds, but avoid trampling on wet soil. Add compost and a general fertiliser. Scatter slug bait around delphiniums, hostas, pinks and alpines. Delphiniums can be increased by taking cuttings in March or April, but with established plants it may be best to lift and divide them now.

Sow begonia, lobelia, salvia and sweet peas in a heated propagator.

Hardwood cuttings can be taken now from many shrubs such as weigelia, philadelphus, chaenomeles, cornus and roses. If you haven't done it already, cut autumn-fruiting raspberries down to ground level. Canes have a useful life of about ten years. If they are weak and last year's crop was poor, replace them now. Spread out the root of the new cane and plant in a shallow hole, spacing the canes one to two feet apart, with five or six feet between rows. This is the last chance to plant new fruit trees, bushes and canes. If conditions are not suitable, wrap them or pot them up in a cold, frost-free place, and keep the root-ball damp until the weather improves. Mulch newly planted fruit trees and bushes if the soil is moist but not frozen. Other deciduous trees, bushes, hedges, climbers and roses can also be planted. Keep them watered throughout the summer.

With its yellow flowers from December to February, winter jasmine, Jasminum nudiflorum, needs support. Where an established framework exists, you only need to cut the flowering shoots back to two or three buds from the main branch. Roses need their spring prune, as will some clematis. If they are getting untidy, the early-flowering clematis, such as montana, alpina and macropetala, can be pruned after they have flowered. Similarly, the large-flowered varieties, flowering in May and June, can be pruned lightly after flowering. But the large-flowered late summer clematis should be pruned hard now, down to 3 feet or so, as should the smaller-flowered viticella, and also c. texensis and c. tangutica. The very early, evergreen, c. armandii varieties seem to survive our milder winters now. There are also herbaceous varieties, non-climbing, which need cutting almost to ground level.

Clematis like rich, loamy, well drained soil. Plant them three inches below the surface to reduce the risk of clematis wilt, although the smaller-flowered varieties seem to be less susceptible. Place a stone over the root, or plant the root in the shade to keep it moist. Clematis propagate readily from cuttings; root softwood cuttings in spring, or more mature wood in early summer. You can also propagate them by layering in late winter.

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YOU could Save a Life

During a BBQ, Ingrid stumbled and took a little fall. She assured us that she was fine and had just tripped because of her new shoes. While she appeared a bit shaken up, she went about enjoying herself for the rest of the evening. The next day, she passed away. Her 'trip' had been the only immediate sign of the stroke that killed her. Had we known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.

Neurologists say that if they can get to a stroke victim quickly enough, they can often reverse the effects of a stroke . . . totally. The trick is to recognize and diagnose a stroke, and then get medical care, all within 3 hours. But when people fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke, a stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage or even die.

Recognising a stroke

Now doctors say that you can recognize a stroke by asking the victim to perform three simple tasks. STRoke: Remember the first three letters

• S             Ask the individual to SMILE.
• T  TALK.  Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.
• R             Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If s/he has trouble with even one of these tasks, call 999 immediately.

There are, of course, other symptoms: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

If you can remember these, good. But if you can't, then at least remember STR. If we all try hard, the life that's saved may be yours.